It’s all change off the field in Taoyuan as the La New Corporation sold the Monkeys to the Japan’s Rakuten group during the off season.

There are new colours, a new logo, a new team manager but on the field, there will little difference. Lamigo as they were won 6 Championships in 8 years, the question is can Rakuten continue this success?

Long time coach Hung I-Chung departed to join Fubon Guardians and Rakuten promoted from within. The new man at the helm is hitting coach Tseng Hao-Ju who has worked with the Monkeys off the field since retirement in 2013. This is someone who knows the Monkeys well.

So what should we expect from the Monkeys in 2020? The hitting core remains intact and the Monkeys possessed 4 of the top 5 in average, hitting and RBIs in 2019. Their offense is what has brought them the last 3 CPBL titles. They are deep enough that even a few injuries or bad form will not have too much effect on the team.

On the pitching side, it’s all change in terms of foreign pitchers. 29 year old Ryan Carpenter signs having started in the MLB as recently as 2018 and Elih Villenueva joins having spent 2018 and 2019 with Chinatrust Brothers. Villanueva ended the season with a 2.92 ERA and 5 straight regular season wins. Radhames Liz initially re-signed but due to injury issues will not be with the Monkeys this year. Lisalverto Bonilla and Justin Nicolino have since joined to give Rakuten 4 foreign pitchers.

Fans are in Taoyuan are used to success and with that hitting core intact, Rakuten Monkeys should be competing for the CPBL title. Pitching is key though, pitch well and expect another trip to the Taiwan Series, pitch poorly and expect a lot of high scoring and long games.